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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 05-05-1997 - 9d f 1 ORANGE COUNTY 1 BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Action Agenda Item No. 9-j ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: May 5, 1997 SUBJECT: Proposed Orange County Environmental Affairs Commission DEPARTMENT: County Commissioners PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) BUDGET AMENDMENT: (Y/N) ATTACHMENT(S): None,but refer to the Resources Protection INFORMATION CONTACT: and Development section of the Alice Gordon Commissioners' Goals and Objectives TELEPHONE NUMBERS: --ext. 2300 Hillsborough 732-8181 Chapel Hill 9684501 Durham 688-7331 Mebane 227-2031 PURPOSE: To create an Orange County Environmental Affairs Commission to advise the Board of County Commissioners on matters affecting the environment. BACKGROUND: Orange County places a great deal of emphasis on environmental matters, including environmental protection. For example, in our proposed"Orange County Board of Commissioners 1997-98 Goals and Objectives,Updated April 1997"we have a whole section, Resources Protection and Development,with four goals related in whole or part to environmental protection. 1. Natural Resource Preservation Note especially the objectives related to Resource Conservation and the Natural Areas Element of the Comprehensive Plan 2. Watershed Protection Note e*ecially the Cane Creek Watershed Study 3. Water Resource Quantity and Quality The Water Resources Committee is working on ground water resources 4. Wastewater Treatment System Management The particular objectives are nearing completion but the Commission might suggest others However,in our organizational structure in Orange County,we do not have a separate specifically dedicated effort for protecting the environment, except for the Water Resources Committee,which is a temporary group. . 2 PROPOSED ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMISSION A.A. P=ose: To advise the Board of County Commissioners on matters affecting the environment B. Specific Duties: 1. To advise the County Commissioners with regard to environmental policy 2. To educate the public and local officials on environmental issues 3. To perform special studies and projects on environmental questions as requested by the County Commissioners 4. To recommend environmental initiatives to the County Commissioners 5. To study changes in environmental science and environmental regulations in the pursuit of their duties 6. To perform other duties as requested by the County Commissioners C. Membership: Members would be Orange County residents appointed by the County Commissioners. There would be eleven members as follows,plus a County Commissioner who would serve as described below: 1. Five members with specific expertise: Air Quality Biological Sciences Engineering, in a field related to the environment Land Resources Water Resources Note: The Soil and Water Conservation District Board would be invited to nominate the Land Resources expert, if they would like to do that. 2. Six at large members: These members would have some knowledge of environmental science and/or environmental issues. They could be environmental experts in the fields of education, energy, law, public health,public policy,solid waste,or other areas(including,if appropriate, areas that overlap with the five areas of expertise specifically required),or citizens with demonstrated environmental knowledge or interest. The at-large members would be chosen to offer the spectrum of knowledge that the Commissioners deemed appropriate. 3. One county commissioner would serve as a twelfth member for two years, and thereafter act as liaison to the group D. Initial Subjects for Discussion: The Commission would initially review and work toward the Board of Commissioners' Goals related to the environment that are listed in the Resources Protection and Development section of the 1997-98 Goals and Objectives (see Background section). It is anticipated that the work of the Water Resources Committee could be incorporated into the work of the Environmental Affairs Commission after an appropriate transition period. The current 3 members of the Water Resources Committee would be invited to apply for membership in this new Commission. E. Meetings and Staffing: One meeting per month. It is anticipated that the time commitment would be 3-5 hours per month. Term would be three years,with initial terms staggered as follows: Air Quality- 1 year; thereafter 3 years Engineering and Land Resources-2 years; thereafter 3 years Biological Sciences and Water Resources: Initial term- 3 years At-Large members: Initial terms would be 1 year for two members, 2 years for two members, and 3 years for two members. Staff would likely be David Stancil and Paul Thames,the same personnel that are currently staffing the Water Resources Committee. The Committee members and staff would be asked for their recommendations concerning the best method for transition. Thus the formation of this Commission should not involve a significant increase in county resources needed. RECOMMENDATION(S): As the Board decides. Approval includes the following action: A. Approve the formation of the Environmental Affairs Commission and advertise the positions for a month. Appoint the members with June as a target date. B. Ask the Water Resources Committee and staff to recommend a transition plan for incorporating the work of the Water Resources Committee into the work of the Environmental Affairs Commission. C. Ask staff to revise the Goals(status report, objectives,milestones,resources required, and so forth, as appropriate)included in the Resources Protection and Development section to incorporate an Environmental Affairs Commission so that the revisions will be included by the time the Board of Commissioners formally adopts the 1997-98 Goals. D. Ask the Soil and Water Conservation District Board if they wish to nominate a member.